Ben Drew

Plan B (born Ben Drew, 22.10.1983)

Plan B is a British rapper, songwriter, singer and actor.

Plan B: Childhood

Plan B was born and raised in the Forest Gate area of East London. His father played in local punk rock bands and his mother worked for a local authority. When he was six years old, his father left the family home.

Plan B initially attended the Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex, but was transferred to Tom Hood School in Leytonstone after being expelled. He taught himself to play guitar from the age of 14. At first, he learnt to play songs by the likes of Blur and Oasis but soon moved on, when his love of hip-hop and R&B developed.

Plan B: Music Career

Plan B's debut musical appearance came when he rapped on 'Cap Back' by DJ Wonder ( a member of the respected Roll Deep crew). The track was used on the grime compilation Run the Road in 2005. Later that year, Plan B also released his debut single on the Pet Cemetary label. The 'Kidz'/'Dead' "7 was released as a limited edition and he soon landed a recording contract with 679 Recordings (originally home to Mike Skinner's The Streets). His debut single for his new label was 'No Good' / 'Sick 2 Def'.

When Plan B's debut album was released - entitled Who Needs Actions When You Got Words - it was positively received by the music press and gained a five-star review in The Guardian from Alexis Petridis.

To continue promoting the album, Plan appeared at the Reading and Leeds festivals, as well as releasing a remix album, which included Hadouken!'s remix of his track 'No More Eatin''. Plan B also embarked on a tour that saw him being supported by Hadouken! as well as Example, Killa Kela and Professor Green. He also released a mixtape, which included songs by the likes of Nirvana, Rolling Stones, Leonard Cohen and Radiohead.

Plan B's second album evolved into a concept album entitled The Defamation of Strickland Banks. In March 2010, Plan B supported Noel Gallagher at the Royal Albert Hall. He also appeared on a number of mainstream TV shows, to promote the album, including a live slot on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

Musically, Plan B has been compared to the US rapper Eminem, though with the acoustic sensibilities of the songwriter Damien Rice.

Plan B: Acting

Plan B landed a lead role in the 2008 film Adulthood, alongside Danny Dyer and Scarlett Johnson. He also recorded three tracks for the film's soundtrack.

In 2009, Plan B went on to star as Noel Winters in the hit British movie Harry Brown, which starred Michael Caine in the lead role.